Digital content streaming playback system and method

ABSTRACT

A digital content streaming playback system is provided with a digital content playback module configured to provide a digital content to a digital content hosting site by a content creator on a user interface displayed on a computer of a content consumer so as to enable streaming playback of the digital content over an electronic network; a tipping module; a reward download button/link display module; and a reward setup interface configured for the content creator to upload content as a reward file, the content being different from the digital content for streaming playback; wherein the tipping module comprises: a tipping button/link display module configured to display an activated tipping button/link on a user interface; and a tip processing module configured to, in response to a content consumer operating the activated tipping button/link, process payment of a tip of a specific amount according to a default setting or a setting made by the content creator; wherein the reward download button/link display module is configured to display, depending on the processing of the tip payment, an activated reward download button/link on the user interface, enabling the content consumer to download the reward file which was uploaded from the reward setup interface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/186,949 filed Feb. 26, 2021, which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/894,391,filed on Jun. 5, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,951,952, which is acontinuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/643,310, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,863,243, which is a Section 371 ofInternational Application No. PCT/JP2018/039899, filed Oct. 26, 2018,which was published in the Japanese language on May 2, 2019 underInternational Publication No. WO 2019/083018 A1, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/577,924, filed Oct. 27,2017. This application also claims priority to International ApplicationNo. PCT/JP2018/011619, filed Mar. 23, 2018. The present applicationclaims the benefit of each of the above-identified applications. Thedisclosures of each of the abovementioned applications are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a video streaming playback system forproviding video hosting service, and to a method for the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, there are numerous services for video hosting websites;because of their convenience, these services have been attractingincreasing numbers of users from year to year, and are recognized bysociety at large.

Video hosting website services can be broadly divided into two types.

One type is video hosting sites of the ad-supported model, in whichusers can watch videos for free in return for viewing ads(videos/images/audio/text); examples of these services include YouTube,Facebook video, and dailymotion (all registered trademarks). The othertype is the subscription-based model, in which users pay a fee to watchvideos; examples of these services include NetFlix, Amazon Video, andYouTube Red (all registered trademarks).

Video hosting websites of the first type, the ad-supported model, havethe drawback that, while users can view videos for free, many users areannoyed by the ads on the video sites. Ads on video sites are primarilyonline targeted advertising, wherein a user's video watching history andthe user's residence (geographical location; determined from the IPaddress of the site connection), age, sex, etc., are determined, and,based on this information, the site operator shows ads to the targetedusers requested by the advertiser. This arrangement allows for highlycost-effective advertising. However, this also means that the disclosureand collection of private information is the price users pay to viewvideos for free. Moreover, no matter how advanced online targeted adtechnology may become, users simply want to watch videos, and it isnatural for users to be annoyed by their videos being interrupted byads.

Moreover, in the ad-supported model, it is difficult for a user toconfirm the quality of video content before viewing the video, and somecontent creators, taking advantage of the way the ad-supported modelworks, put extreme titles and thumbnails on videos of low contentquality to attract users, and there are also numerous fake videos and advideos that profiteer off the ad revenue from the video ads that playbefore a video is viewed.

As concerns video ratings, the ratings of good (Like) and bad (Dislike)on YouTube and Facebook Video, for example, are based merely on thesubjective impressions of individual users, and are not theoretical.

In addition, video hosting websites of the ad-supported model presentthe problem of forbidding the downloading and saving of all videos,including videos for which copyright ownership has been made explicit,on user terminals. Such websites also prevent background playback, whichwould allow a user to listen to video music while in another browser orapplication. The reason for this is that downloading and saving videosto personal terminal allows users to view videos offline, which meanscircumventing highly cost-effective online targeted advertising andmaking it difficult to obtain ad revenue. In addition, for users tolisten to video music in the background, without visiting the videosite, means circumventing advertising. In fact, YouTube has rolled outanother video service (YouTube Red) that is ad-free and enablesdownloading and saving of videos and background playback for asubscription (monthly), which shows that subscription services must takethe place of ad revenue in order to provide ad-free service that offersvideo downloading and saving and background playback.

Meanwhile, video hosting websites of the subscription-based model do notdisclose the contents of videos, and are configured so that viewers haveno way of knowing the contents of video content, and must pay a feeunilaterally set by the video site before having any way of knowing thevalue of videos. On paid sites, users have no way of judging the valueof video content, and must pay a unilaterally set fee in advance, whichis not a fair transaction, and subjects users to risk.

As explained above, current video hosting websites present problems suchas ads, invasion of privacy, the need to pay fees in advance, and thepresence of fake videos and ad videos. An object of the presentinvention is to solve these problems, and provide an arrangement thatenables video hosting website operators and content creators to obtainrevenue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the object proposed above, a first aspect of thepresent invention provides a video streaming playback system comprising:

a video playback module, configured to provide a video that waspreviously uploaded to a specific video hosting site by a user who is acontent creator on a user interface displayed on a computer of a contentconsumer so as to enable streaming playback of the video over anelectronic network, the video playback module having a video playbackoperation to allow the video to be played on the user interface;

a tipping module configured to operate in tandem with the video playbackoperation performed by the video playback module, the tipping moduleconfigured to perform a tipping process;

a reward download button/link display module configured to operate intandem with the tipping process performed by the tipping module; and

a reward setup interface configured for the user who is a contentcreator to upload content as a reward file, the content being differentfrom the video for streaming playback;

wherein the tipping module comprises:

a tipping button/link display module configured to display an activatedtipping button/link on the user interface; and

a tip processing module configured to, in response to the contentconsumer operating the activated tipping button/link, process payment ofa tip of a specific amount according to a default setting or a settingmade by the user who is a content creator;

wherein the reward download button/link display module is configured todisplay, depending on the processing of the tip payment, an activatedreward download button/link on the user interface, enabling the user whois a content consumer to download the reward file which was uploadedfrom the reward setup interface.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides the system,wherein the reward setup interface is further configured so that thevideo for streaming playback itself can be set as a download reward.

According to yet another aspect, the present invention provides thesystem, wherein the reward setup interface allows the user who is acontent creator to setup a minimum tip amount only when two or moredownload rewards are offered.

According to yet another aspect, the present invention provides thesystem, wherein the reward file includes an audio file.

According to yet another aspect, the present invention provides thesystem, further comprising: a content conversion module for generatingan audio file by extracting audio from a video uploaded by the user whois a content creator.

According to yet another aspect, the present invention provides thesystem, wherein the minimum tip amount is configured so that a singleamount can be set as a minimum tip amount when the two or more downloadrewards are offered as a set.

According to yet another aspect, the present invention provides thesystem, wherein the reward download button/link display module displaysan indicator corresponding to a type of a downloadable reward as areward download button/link.

According to yet another aspect, the present invention provides thesystem, wherein the reward download button/link display module displaysin the user interface detailed information on one or more rewards set bythe user who is a content creator when a reward download button/link ismoused over.

According to yet another aspect, the present invention provides thesystem, wherein the minimum tip amount set by the user who is a contentcreator is displayed in the detailed information on the rewards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the system configuration of avideo hosting server according to one example of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a tipping module of the same.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a video playback process in the same.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a video playback interface of thesame.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a tipping process in the same.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a payment means setting screen.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a tip setting screen.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a video download process.

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a video upload setting screen.

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a screen after a tip payment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a video offline playback setting process.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a video rating process.

FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of a video rating screen.

FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of a dashboard screen of a videoowner.

FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of a tip statement screen.

FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of a video management screen.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a selection process for options pertaining tovideo provision.

FIG. 18 is a schematic illustration of a tip setting screen.

FIGS. 19A-19D are schematic illustrations of video playback interfaces.

FIG. 20 is a schematic illustration of the system configuration of avideo hosting server according to another example of the presentinvention.

FIG. 21 is a schematic illustration of a tipping module of the same.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a video playback process in the same.

FIG. 23 is a schematic illustration of a video playback interface of thesame.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a video download process and a reward settingprocess.

FIG. 25 is a schematic illustration of a video playback interface of thesame.

FIG. 26 is a schematic illustration of a video upload settings screen.

FIG. 26A is a schematic illustration of a video upload settings screen.

FIG. 26B is a schematic illustration of a video upload settings screen.

FIG. 27 is a schematic illustration of a video playback interface of thesame.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart of a reward download process of the same.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of a reward download process of the same.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of a reward offering process of the same.

BEST MODE FOR EMBODYING THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention will be described hereafter.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a system configuration according to thepresent embodiment.

1. System/Server Configuration

A video hosting website 100 (the system of the present invention)comprises: a front end server 110 for providing a user interface; and,as a back end for processing video playback and tipping processes, avideo provision module 120, a video importing module 121, a videoanalysis module 122, a digital rights management (DRM) module 123, atipping module 124, an ad display module 125, a video provision optionscontrol module 126, and various databases including a video database130, a user database 131, a digital rights management database 132, avideo analysis database 133, and a flagged-for-review video database134.

Numerous functions known in the art, such as firewall, load balancer,application server, authentication server, fault bypass server, and sitemanagement tools, will not be shown in the present embodiment in orderto avoid confusion regarding the characteristics of the presentinvention, but naturally may be provided, as appropriate.

The front end server 110 and the modules 120-125 are installed as aprogram executed by the computer making up the video hosting website100; this program is expanded in memory by the CPU of the computer inwhich the program is installed, and executed, as appropriate, to formthe various elements of the present invention. The computer on which theserver program is installed is preferably a server-class computercomprising a network interface, a peripheral interface, and otherelements known in the art. For example, the computer runs on anoperating system, such as Linux®, comprising a generallyhigh-performance CPU and a disk storage device for memory. Other typesof computers may of course be used, and it is anticipated that morepowerful computers developed in the future can be configured asdescribed herein. It is also possible to provide a function installedthrough one of the elements using a computer program product stored on acomputer-readable physical storage medium (e.g., ROM, RAM, hard disk,SSD, or magneto-optical medium).

The video hosting website 100 is connected via a network 150 to acontent creator (individual, corporation, group) 140 and a viewer(individual, corporation, group) 141 constituting users. The contentcreator 140 and the viewer 141 run a browser 170 on a computer, portableterminal, etc., and connect to the front end server 110 over the network150. Typically, the network 150 is the Internet, but may include anycombination of LANs, MANs, WANs, mobile, wired or wireless networks,private networks, cellular networks (e.g., the Long-Term Evolution (LTE)network), CDNs (content delivery networks), and virtual privatenetworks. The front end server system 110 can be connected to over thenetwork 150, which can be any network, without limitation.

In FIG. 1 , the content creator 140 and viewer 141 constituting theusers of the video hosting website 100, as well as their respective userID 160, browsers 170, and offline programs 180 are shown as singleunits; however, it goes without saying that an extremely large number(for example, millions) of users can be supported and allowed tocommunicate with the video hosting website 100 at any time. The users140, 141 may include a variety of different computer devices. Examplesof the user devices 140, 141 include PCs, laptops, smartphones, tablets,information terminals, portable information terminals, portabletelephones, mobile telephones, etc. The technology of said field isnaturally not limited to the abovementioned devices.

The browser 170 can include any application by which a user can accessweb pages on the World Wide Web. Suitable applications are AppleSafari®, Google Chrome®, Android®, Microsoft Edge®, Internet Explorer®,and any applications adapted so as to be capable of accessing web pageson the World Wide Web, including smartphone and tablet applicationsoftware. The browser 170 also includes suitable video players, such asHTMLS Player and Adobe Systems' Flash (both registered trademarks), aswell as any other player that is usable on the video hosting website 100and compatible with video film format. Alternatively, a standaloneprogram independent of the browser 170 may access videos.

Records of all registered users, including the content creator 140 andviewer 141, are registered and saved in the user database 131 of thevideo hosting website. The video hosting website 100 maintains recordsof all registered users using this user database 131. Names, user names,channel names, passwords, email addresses, tip payment information(credit card numbers, online payment information, etc.), tippingsettings, tip receipt information (bank account, etc.), tipping records,tip receipt records, private coin information, video viewing records,video upload records, video upload records, video upload settings,uploaded video ratings, rights records, violation records, and adsettings information (whether or not the user wishes to receive adrevenue for uploaded videos, and settings for doing so) are stored inthe records for the registered users. Records are also included forusers who simply watch videos without being registered on the video site100.

2. Site Registration and User ID

It is general practice in web service user registration, not limited tothe video hosting website 100, to identify users by email address,telephone number, and registered social media accounts (Facebook, etc.),and later input the information necessary to use the site services, suchas legal name, sex, address, payment information, user name, channelname, etc., to register with the site. After registering with the site,a user is given an ID (identifier) 160, and can utilize the services ofthe video hosting website 100.

As this method of site registration and ID 160 acquisition is standardfor website registration at present, it will not be shown in order toavoid confusion regarding the characteristics of the system of thepresent invention. Other methods of website registration and IDacquisition invented in the future will be applicable to the system ofthe present invention as long as they are methods in which users areidentified by user IDs.

3. Unregistered Site Users

Users not registered with the video hosting website 100 can view videos,but must register with the video hosting website 100 and obtain a userID 160 in order to utilize services such as paying tips, accepting tips,uploading videos, downloading videos, offline playback, backgroundplayback, and posting comments; thus, the operator of the video hostingwebsite 100, through the user interface (not shown) on the front endserver 110, notifies unregistered users of the option of registeringwith the site, and encourages them to do so.

4. Uploading Videos

A registered user is capable of becoming a content creator 140; toupload digital content to the video hosting website 100, the contentcreator 140 connects over the network 150 to the video importing module121 via a video settings user interface 900 (FIG. 9 ) generated by thefront end server 110. The user interface 900 can be accessed by, forexample, clicking the “Upload” button 402 in the video viewing interfaceshown in FIG. 4 .

When the content creator 140 clicks the “Upload” button 402 in the userinterface, it is confirmed whether the provided is logged into the videohosting website 100. If the content creator 140 is logged in, the userID 160 is identified, and if the content creator 140 is not logged in, alogin page is displayed (not shown in the drawings), the provider ismade to log in, and the user ID 160 is identified. Unregistered users ofthe video hosting website 100 are directed to a user registration page(not shown in the drawings) to register as a user and obtain a user ID160, after which the user ID 160 is identified at login.

In the user interface 900 shown in FIG. 9 , the video to upload can bedesignated by selecting the storage location of the video or draggingand dropping the file, and video title, description, tags, and category(903) can be designated. One can also specify (901) whether to accepttips for the video (selection for “Accept tipping for this video”(Yes/No)), (904) whether to display the number of received tips(selection for “Show tipping count on this video” (Yes/No)), (905)whether to accept ad revenue (selection for “Receive advertisingrevenue” (Yes/No)), and selecting (Yes/No) whether to offer a downloadreward whereby (902) users who have tipped are permitted to download thevideo (reward offered). When the “Submit Now” button in the interface ispressed, the video importing module stores the designated video in thevideo database 130 along with the conditions specified in the interface.

The video importing module 121 also assigns an ID (identifier) to andperforms initial processing upon the uploaded video. This processingincludes format conversion (encoding, transcoding) and compression. Theprocessing also includes data processing involving tagging the user ID160, video ID, tipping settings set in the user interface, as well asmetadata such as video title, description, tags, categories, language,geo-blocking, age restrictions, and video length.

Examples of uploaded digital content items include video, audio, andcombinations of video and audio. Alternatively, the digital content itemmay be a still image such as a JPEG or GIF file, or a text file. Theitem may of course also be live video (streaming data). For simplicityand to describe the present embodiment, the uploaded digital contentitem will be referred to as a “video”, a “video file”, “video data”, ora “video item”, but these terms are not intended to limit the types ofdigital content items that can be uploaded.

The video analysis module 122 then analyzes the tagged metadata. Forthis analysis, the module checks for any prohibited words, violence,sexual content, etc., violating terms that have been set by the videohosting website 100 and stored in the video analysis database 133, andalso checks for copyrights. Video metadata for previous violations ofterms is stored in the video analysis database 133, as is copyrightinformation independently obtained by the operator of the video hostingwebsite 100. Information on movie companies, music labels, televisionstations, artists, and other music copyright holder registered with thevideo hosting website 100 as users is also converted to metadata andstored, and copyright infringements are also checked for. Afteranalysis, the digital rights management (DRM) module 123 performs anencryption process (download-blocking encryption process) onnon-problematic videos to block downloading of the video data to userterminals, and a decryption key for unblocking is simultaneously issued.After the encryption process, the video data is stored in the videodatabase 130, and the unblocking decryption key is stored in the digitalrights management (DRM) database 132. The uploaded video is alsoassociated with the content creator 140, and the record in the userdatabase 131 is updated and saved.

Videos that are judged problematic are stored in the flagged-for-reviewvideo database 134, and the operator of the video hosting website 100checks the video again, and, if there are no problems, the digitalrights management (DRM) module 123 performs the encryption process forblocking downloads of the video data to user terminals as describedabove, and simultaneously issues a decryption key for unblocking. Afterthe encryption process, the video is stored in the video database 130,and the unblocking decryption key is stored in the digital rightsmanagement (DRM) database 132. The uploaded video is also associatedwith the content creator 140, and the record in the user database 131 isupdated.

Problematic videos are deleted after being checked by the operator ofthe video hosting website 100; in this system, metadata for problematicvideos is stored in the video analysis database 133 as violation data,and the user violation history in the user database 131 is updated.

In this system, the encryption used by the digital rights management(DRM) module 123 to block downloading of videos to user terminals iscarried out through a combination of a process that prevents displayingthe video on the user browser 170 and a process that prevents the videoplayer from running in the event that the user manages to download thevideo. If a user attempts to use downloading software to download thevideo, a warning text is displayed, and, simultaneously, the userviolation history for the user ID 160 that attempted the download isupdated in the user database 131, and a notification is sent to theoperator of the video hosting website 100. The IP address, browser,model information, and terminal number of users not registered with thevideo hosting website 100 are recorded and saved in the user database131, and such users are registered as risky users. There are many othermethods that can be used for this video content protection throughdigital rights management (DRM); as demanded by circumstances, theoperator of the video hosting website 100 may utilize an optimal method,and set the same in the digital rights management (DRM) module 123.

Video authorship is made up of extremely complex rights, and it may inpractice be difficult to detect all copyright infringements using justthe video analysis module 122 and the video analysis database 133.Therefore, the video hosting website 100 makes final patrol-basedchecks, responds to infringement notifications from external parties ona case-by-case basis, and, as necessary, deletes videos and freezes ordeletes user IDs 160.

5. Viewing Videos

The viewer 141 can run the browser 170 and connect to the front endserver 110 to view videos that have been uploaded by the content creator140 to the video database 130.

Using the interface displayed by the front end server 110 as illustratedin FIG. 4 , the viewer 141 selects and views posted videos according tocategory, view count ranking, rating ranking, and the settings and videoviewing history of the viewer 141, or the viewer 141 inputs search wordsinto a video search system on the front end server 110, videos (titles,descriptions, artist names, tags, etc.) matching the metadata stored anddistributed by the video database 130 and the search words inputted bythe viewer 141 are displayed as search results, and the viewer 141selects and views a video. When the viewer 141 selects a video, thevideo ID is sent to the video provision module 120, the video data isretrieved from the video database 130, and the video provision module120 sends the video data to the viewer 141 for viewing.

As these methods of selecting and searching for videos are standard onvideo hosting websites, they will not be shown in order to avoidconfusion regarding the characteristics of the present invention.

The video view count by viewers 141 is recorded by the video provisionmodule 120, and stored in the video database 130 in association with thevideo.

6. Video Playback and Tipping Module

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the tipping module 124 shown in FIG. 1 .

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the tipping module 124 comprises atipping button/link display module 200, a tip processing module 201, avideo download button/link display module 202, an offlineplayback/background playback control module 203, a video ratinggeneration module 204, and a tip revenue module 205.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a process performed by the tipping module 124.

When the video selected by the viewer 141 is played back (step 301 inFIG. 3 ), the tipping button/link display module 200 receives a videoplayback signal and operates (step 302), and, as a result of the settingregarding (901) whether to accept tips in the video uploading interface900 being set to accept payments (Yes), an active tip button 400 isdisplayed (step 303) as shown in FIG. 4 , enabling the viewer 141 toleave a tip. Because other, conflicting remuneration payment means, suchas the ad display module 125 in this example, are provided in the systemof the present invention, the tipping button/link display module 200stops the operation or inhibits the activation of the ad display module125 so that no ads (of any sort, including in-stream ads) are displayed.In the present embodiment, in other words, the tip processing moduleoperates either the tipping button/link display module 200 or the addisplay module 125 according to the setting (Yes or No) regarding (901)whether to accept tips.

The ad display module 125 displays ads (in-stream ads, etc.) based onthe information registered for a user over videos uploaded by the useras the videos are being played back, and may have the same configurationas in existing ad-supported video hosting websites.

When the ad display module 125 operates, for example, an “Ads off”button 403 as shown to the side of the “Upload” button 402 in FIG. 4 isprovided, the button being configured so as to halt the operation of thead display module 125 and run the tipping button/link display module200. The operator may also set a single such button for the videohosting website (video sharing website) as a whole. When the tippingbutton/link display module 200 is operating, an “Ads ON” button 404 asshown in FIG. 4 may be displayed, the button being configured so as tohalt the operation of the tipping button/link display module 200 and runthe ad display module 125, the opposite of the process described above,when pressed. In such a case, one or the other of the tip acceptingsetting 901 and the ad revenue receiving setting 905, which operate intandem, operates as described above, and 902, 904 also operate in tandemas described above. As a result, when the operation of the ad displaymodule 125 is stopped using the “Ads Off” button 403, and the tippingbutton/link display module 200, which is one exclusive option, operates,the tip acceptance setting 901 is forcibly set to Yes, and the adrevenue receiving setting 905 is forcibly set to No, and cannot beselected by the content creator 140. As a result, the video hostingwebsite (video sharing website) becomes completely ad-free, includingin-stream ads. In this case (ad-free, ad revenue accepting setting 905set to No), the content creator 140 uses the user interface 902 toselect whether to allow downloading of a video for which a tip has beengiven to a user terminal as a reward (rewards on) or not to allow suchdownloading (rewards off).

Next, when the viewer 141 clicks on the tip button 400, the tipprocessing module 201 operates in response to the tip request (step304), the tip processing module 201 maps video ID, user ID 160, tippingsettings, tip payment settings, and tip amount settings (step 305), anda tipping details confirmation screen not shown in the drawings isreturned to the viewer 141 (step 306).

When the viewer 141 has confirmed the tip details and clicks the confirmtip button (not shown), the tip processing module 201 receives theconfirmation signal (step 307) and starts a payment approval process forthe tip from the viewer 141 (step 308). If the tipping settings of theviewer 141 are set to prepaid tip coins, the number of prepaid tip coinsin the wallet of the viewer 141 is confirmed in the user database 131,the number of coins requested by the viewer 141 is withdrawn, andpayment with prepaid tip coins is approved (step 309). If the viewer 141has insufficient prepaid tip coins, and the number of tip coinsrequested by the viewer 141 cannot be paid, the user interface 700 forpurchasing prepaid tip coins shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, and theviewer 141 is directed to purchase prepaid tip coins.

The number of prepaid tip coins in the wallet of the viewer 141 isdisplayed on the user interface 605 shown in FIG. 6 . If the tippingsettings of the viewer 141 are set to credit card, electronic payment,or the like, the tipping processor 201 sends a payment approval requestto the payment company, and obtains payment approval from the paymentcompany (step 309). If the payment cannot be approved, a payment errormessage (not shown) is displayed to the viewer 141. When the tip paymenthas been approved, a tipping complete message is displayed to the viewer141 (step 310), a tip ID is simultaneously issued (step 311), and theinformation in the user database 131 and the video database 130 areupdated and saved in association with the user ID 160 and the video ID(step 312).

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a tipping process accompanied by tippingsettings of the viewer 141 that accompany the flow of the processperformed by the tipping module 124 in FIG. 3 .

When the video starts playing and the viewer 141 clicks the active tipbutton 400 (FIG. 4 ) (step 501), the process continues to step 502, andthe tip processing module 201 confirms whether the viewer 141 is loggedinto the video hosting website 100. If the viewer 141 is logged in, theuser ID 160 is identified, and, if the viewer 141 is not logged in, theprocess continues to step 503, in which the viewer is made to log in,and the user ID 160 is similarly identified. Users not registered withthe video hosting website 100 are directed to a user registration page(not shown), and the user is registered and issued a user ID 160, thenlogged in.

Next, in step 504, the tip processing module 201 confirms the tippayment settings of the viewer 141. Viewers 141 who have set their tippayment settings are sent to step 506, and viewers 141 who have not yetset their tip payment settings are sent to step 505, set various means,such as prepaid tip coin payment 604 or credit card/electronic payment606, for the tip payment settings in the user interface 600 shown inFIG. 6 , and are then sent to step 506.

A section for setting an amount for a single tip is present in the upperpart of the user interface 600 for tip payment settings, and a sectionfor setting payment method in the lower part. For single-payment tipamounts, the viewer can select and set automatic (601), wherein a fixedamount is paid for each click, and manual (603), wherein the viewermanually sets the payment amount each time. The payment method for eachtip can be set in the lower section; viewers can select a prepaid tipcoin payment 604 or a credit card or electronic payment 606.

If a prepaid tip coin payment 604 is selected, the viewer must purchasea specific quantity of tip coins in advance using the interface 700shown in FIG. 7 ; this process will be described later.

In step 506, the tip processing module 201 confirms the settings of thetip button 400 of the viewer 141. Once the amount per click setting 602for the automatic tipping setting 601 has been set, the viewer 141 issent to step 508. If the manual tipping setting 603 is set, the viewer141 is sent to step 507, inputs the tip amount, and is then sent to step508.

In step 508, the tip processing module 201 displays a tipping detailsconfirmation screen (not shown) for the viewer 141. Once the viewer 141has confirmed the tip details and clicked the tip confirmation button(step 509), a tipping complete screen is displayed, and payment of thetip is complete (step 510).

The tip processing module 201 accesses the video database 130, andupdates tip information (dates, amounts, etc.) for the video.

If the viewer 141 does not click the tip button 400 in step 501, the tipprocessing module 201 will not operate. If the content creator 140 hasopted not to accept tips (set to No) in the user interface 901, the tipbutton 400 will not be displayed, and the tipping module 124 will notoperate. The tip acceptance settings for the content creator 140 foreach video can be confirmed and changed using user interfaces 1600,1601, even after the videos have been uploaded.

“Steps 504/505” and “steps 506/507” are processed in the order of “steps504/505” followed by “steps 506/507” in FIG. 5 , but may also beprocessed in the opposite order.

7. Downloading/Saving Videos

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the operation of the video downloadbutton/link display module 202 when a tip is given. When the viewer 141has finished paying a tip, the video download button/link display module202 receives a signal from the tip processing module 201 and activates(step 801), and confirms the video download permission setting 902 setby the content creator 140 (step 802). If permission to download thevideo has been granted, the process proceeds to step 803, the videodownload button/link display module 202 requests the digital rightsmanagement (DRM) module 123 for the decryption key that will unblockdownloading and saving the video, and the digital rights management(DRM) module 123 retrieves the decryption key for unblocking downloadingand saving of the video from the digital rights management (DRM)database 132, and sends the decryption key to the video downloadbutton/link display module 202.

The video download button/link display module 202 maps the decryptionkey for unblocking downloading and saving, video ID, user ID 160, andtip ID (step 804), unblocks the viewer 141 from downloading and savingthe video, generates a download button 1001 and a background playbackbutton (video screen off, audio-only playback) 1003, and displays thebuttons on the user interface (step 805).

When the viewer 141 clicks the download button 1001 (step 806), thevideo download button/link display module 202 receives said request(step 807), confirms the video data in the video database 130, anddisplays the downloadable file size (step 808).

When the viewer 141 selects the desired video file to download, thevideo download button/link display module 202 retrieves the designatedvideo file from the video database 130 and sends the file to the viewer141, and the viewer 141 downloads and saves the file to the terminal(step 809).

When the viewer 141 has finished downloading and saving the file, adownload complete screen is displayed (step 810).

By saving the video data in his or her own terminal, the viewer 141 canplay the video whenever desired, and can also use the backgroundplayback button (video screen off, audio-only playback) 1003 generatedby the user interface to play the video in the background.

A “download ready” display 1002 is not displayed on the tip button 400for videos for which the content creator 140 has indicated No for thevideo downloading/saving setting (rewards on/off setting) 902, and thevideo cannot be downloaded and saved even if the viewer 141 offers atip. After video upload, the content creator 140 can log into a useraccount page (not shown) and access a user interface 1600 from a ManageVideos button (not shown) to confirm and change tip acceptance settingsand downloading/saving permission settings (rewards on/off) for eachvideo in 1601.

The viewer 141, as desired, can also download dedicated applicationsoftware provided by the video hosting website 100 to view videos. Theapplication software is provided with a dedicated video player, andcomprises various functions associated with playing back downloaded andsaved videos, such as a dedicated background playback button (videoscreen off, audio-only playback), a video playlist creation function,etc.

8. Offline Playback

FIG. 11 is a flow chart for the operation of the offlineplayback/background playback control module 203 when a tip is given.

When the viewer 141 has finished paying a tip, the offlineplayback/background playback control module 203 receives a tippingcomplete signal from the tip processing module 201 and activates (step1100). Next, the video downloading/saving permission setting (rewardson/off) 902 set by the content creator 140 is confirmed (step 1101). Ifdownloading of the video is permitted (rewards offered), the processproceeds to step 1102, and, if downloading of the video is not permitted(rewards not offered), the offline playback/background playback controlmodule 203 does not activate, and the process ends. Next, the offlineplayback/background playback control module 203 generates an offlineprogram 180 (step 1102). The offline program 180 generated by theoffline playback/background playback control module 203, as well as thedownload/saving unlocking decryption key, video ID, user ID 160, tip ID,and video data mapped when the tip was paid, are saved to memory (cache,ROM, RAM, etc.) in the user terminal (step 1103). When the user launchesthe browser 170 offline and attempts to connect to the video hostingwebsite 100 (step 1104), the offline program 180 receives an offlinesignal from the terminal operation system (not shown) of the viewer 141,and activates (step 1105). Next, in step 1103, the offline program 180accesses the location in the memory of the terminal of the viewer 141 atwhich the video data is saved, reads the video data, and displays anoffline-playable video in the browser 170 (step 1106). When the viewer141 selects a playable video, the offline program 180 receives therequest (step 1107), retrieves the video data from the memory of theterminal of the viewer 141 in which the video data in saved, and playsthe video (step 1108). A background playback button (video screen off,audio-only playback) 1003 is generated in the video player for videosfor which tips have been paid, enabling the user to play the videos inthe background while working in another browser or application software.In step 1103, the background playback button (video screen off,audio-only playback) 1003 is generated in the video player, enabling theuser to play the videos in the background while working in anotherbrowser or application software.

The offline program 180 does not activate in online environments. Theoffline playback/background playback control module 203 does notactivate for videos for which the content creator 140 has turned off thevideo downloading/saving permission setting 902. After uploading videos,the content creator 140 can confirm and change the download/savingpermission setting for each video in interfaces 1600, 1601.

Viewings of downloaded videos are counted toward the view count, andstored in the video database 130.

9. Video Rating Based on Tipping Frequency (%)

The video rating generation module 204 is provided with an algorithm forcalculating video rating in tandem with tips. The video ratingcalculation algorithm is based on tipping frequency, calculatedaccording to the following formula.

Tip payment count÷video view count=tipping frequency (%)

An ordinary counting method may be used to determine the tip paymentcount and the video view count; to calculate a more accurate rating, theunique tip payment count and unique video view count may be determined.

This is because a more accurate video rating can be calculated bycounting multiple tips paid by the same user for the same video as onlyone tip, and counting multiple viewings of the same video by the sameuser as only one view. As discussed above, the video database 130 anduser database 131 save all of a user's video viewing records and tippingrecords, enabling calculation of the unique tip count and unique viewcount. As circumstances demand, the operator of the video hostingwebsite 100 calculates the tipping frequency (%) from the unique tipcount and the unique video view count.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of the operation of the video rating generationmodule 204 when a tip is given.

When the viewer 141 has finished paying a tip, the video ratinggeneration module 204 receives a tipping complete signal from the tipprocessing module 201 and activates (step 1201). The video ratinggeneration module 204 uses a predetermined rating algorithm to confirmrating eligibility conditions (such as minimum view count); thus, themodule confirms the video view count with the video database 130, andchecks the view count against the set rating eligibility conditions(step 1202). If the conditions are met, the process continues to step1203; if the conditions are not met, the video rating generation module204 terminates without rating the video.

In step 1203, the video rating generation module 204 confirms the videocategory set by the content creator 140 in the user interface 903, andapplies the algorithm set for each video category to calculate andgenerate the video rating. The reason why an algorithm is set for eachvideo category is that video categories (e.g., educational, cars,how-to, music, etc.) have different tipping frequencies, with somecategories having high tipping frequencies and some categories havinglow tipping frequencies. Setting an algorithm for each video categorymakes it possible to calculate more accurate ratings. The process thenproceeds to step 1204, wherein a number (numerical value) and starsreflecting the video rating generated in 1203 are displayed, asindicated by label 401 in the user interface 400 shown in FIG. 4 .Simultaneously, the video rating is reflected in the video searchresults display order, as well as in the video ranking order. The videodatabase 130 and user database 131 pertaining to video ratingcalculation are then updated and saved (step 1205).

10. Example Tipping Frequency Rating Algorithm (by Rank)

One example of a rating algorithm based on tipping frequency (%) used inthe system according to the present invention is to assign high rankingsto videos having high tipping frequencies and low rankings to videoshaving low tipping frequencies, as shown in Table 1 below, and calculateratings according to rank.

In this case, the tipping frequency rating is expressed in numbers(numerical values) and stars (numbers of stars) on a ten-rank scale of0.5-5.0 (ten-point method), with the highest rating being 5.0 and thelowest rating being 0.5. An algorithm is set for each video category,and rating eligibility conditions (minimum view count, etc.) are set.

TABLE 1 Example of rating algorithm based on tipping frequency rank Noteligible 0.0 Fewer than 100 views, for rating

Rating or no tips received Rating Rating (stars) (number) Ratingaccoding to rank Lowest rating

 

0.5 Lower 5.00% or less

1.0 Lower 10.00% to 5.01%

1.5 Lower 20.00% to 10.01%

2.0 Lower 35.00% to 20.01%

2.5 Lower 50.00% to 35.01%

3.0 Upper 49.99% to 35.01%

3.5 Upper 35.00% to 20.01%

4.0 Upper 20.00% to 10.01%

4.5 Upper 10.00% to 5.015 Highest rating

5.0 Upper 5.00% or higher

11. Example Tipping Frequency Rating Algorithm (by Averages)

Another example of a rating algorithm, as shown in Table 2, is based onaverage tipping frequency (%), with a ten-stage scale (ten-point method)in which the range from highest tipping frequency (%) to average tippingfrequency (%) is divided into five stages, and the range from averagetipping frequency (%) to lowest tipping frequency (%) is divided intofive stages, and a numerical range is calculated for each rating.

In this method, if, for example, the average tipping frequency is 7.50%,the highest value is 30.00%, and the lowest value is 0.10%, the rangefrom (A) the highest value of 30.00% (stars: 5.0) to the average valueof 7.50% is divided into five stages, and the range from (B) the lowestvalue of 0.10% (stars: 0.5) to the average value of 7.50% is dividedinto five stages. As a result, a numerical range for each rating iscalculated as follows.

(A) 30.00% (max. value)— 7.50% (average value)=22.50%±5 (stages)=4.50%(numerical range)(B) 7.50% (average value)— 0.10% (min. value)=7.40%±5 (stages)=1.48%(numerical range)

It is also possible to set an algorithm for each video category, and toset rating eligibility conditions (minimum view count, etc.).

The rating thus calculated is expressed with stars and number of stars,as indicated by label 401 in the interface in FIG. 4 .

TABLE 2 Example of algorithm based on average tipping frequency Noteligible 0.0 Fewer than 100 views, for rating

Rating or no tips received Numerical range Value Rating (stars) (number)Tipping frequency (%) (%) Minimum value

0.5 0.10% or less to 1.58% 1.48%

1.0  1.59% to 3.06% 1.48%

1.5  3.07% to 4.54% 1.48%

2.0  4.55% to 6.02% 1.48%

2.5  6.03% to 7.50% 1.48%

3.0  7.51% to 12.00% 4.50%

3.5 12.01% to 16.50% 4.50%

4.0 16.51% to 21.00% 4.50%

4.5 21.01% to 25.50% 4.50% Highest rating

5.0 25.51% to 30.00% or greater 4.50%

12. Rating Algorithm Based on Total Received Tips

In the system according to the present invention, it is also possible toset an algorithm based on total received tips for the video in the videorating generation module 204. This is because videos that have hightotal received tips can be defined as highly rated. However, this methodhas the drawback that videos that have been posted for longer periodswill inevitably have higher total received tips, and statement periods(1 hour, 3 hours, 24 hours, weekly, monthly, annual, etc.) are set, andtotal received tips for each video are calculated. In addition, becausetip amounts for the same video will differ from user to user due to thepersonal circumstances (income, etc.) of users, this approach willinevitably be less reliable than the tipping-frequency-based algorithmdescribed above. For this reason, while this total-received-tips-basedalgorithm can be used alone, it is better to construct an algorithm incombination with the tipping-frequency-based algorithm.

The calculation method (rating according to rank) described in Table 1can be applied to this total-received-tips-based algorithm, with videosbeing ranked according to total received tips, and ratings beingcalculated according to a ten-stage scale (ten-point method) andexpressed in numbers (numerical values) and stars (numbers of stars).The calculation method described in Table 2 (rating based on averagevalues) can similarly be applied, with the algorithm being based onaverage total received tips, the range from the highest total receivedtips to the average total received tips being divided into five stages,the range from the average total received tips to the lowest totalreceived tips being divided into five stages, a numerical range beingcalculated for each rating, and ratings being expressed on a ten-stagescale (ten-point method). An algorithm is set for each video category,and rating eligibility conditions (minimum view count, etc.) are set.

13. Average of Multiple Ratings Algorithm

In the system according to the present invention, it is also possible tocalculate a rating from the average of the rating calculated fromtipping frequency as described in sections 10 and 11 above and therating calculated from total received tips as described in section 12above. For example, a tipping frequency rating of 4.5 and a totalreceived tips rating of 4.0 yields the following value.

(4.5+4.0)÷2(number of algorithms)=4.25(average rating)

This rating is not expressed on a ten-stage scale, but as a numericalvalue (to two decimal places), and stars in combination with thenumerical value. While the average rating is calculated from twoalgorithms in this example, more than two algorithms may also be used.

The video rating calculation algorithms described above and in theprevious sections are merely examples; various video rating algorithmsbased on the tipping frequency or tip revenues obtained from user tipscan be set in the video rating generation module 204. While the videoratings are expressed on a ten-stage scale (ten-point method) in theexamples above, they can also be expressed, for example, via a 100-pointmethod (maximum 100 to minimum 1).

Apart from numbers (numerical values) and stars, ratings can bedisplayed in the user interface using other rating display methodscapable of expressing numerical rating values, such as bar graphs.

As AI (artificial intelligence) technology advances in the future, itwill also be possible to provide more accurate video ratings to users bysetting an algorithm combining tipping frequency, tips revenues, and AIin the video rating generation module 204.

14. Rating Content Creators Based on Tips

The video rating generation module 204 associates all video ratingspertaining to tips with video ID and user ID 160, and saves them in thevideo database 130 and the user database 131. The video ratinggeneration module 204 calculates the average rating for all videosuploaded by a content creator 140, and displays this average rating on auser interface 1301 constituting a personal page for the content creator140.

The average video ratings for content creators 140 are also reflected inthe display order of search results yielded by a content creator searchsystem for searching content creators 140. As a result, a user canconfirm the rating of a content creator 140 in a timely manner.

15. Tip-Associated Video Ranking Display

On the video hosting website 100, video rankings are posted on the userinterface on the basis of the ratings based on tipping frequency andtotal received tips described above. Content creator 140 rankings aresimilarly posted.

Ranking periods (1 hour, 3 hours, 24 hours, weekly, monthly, annual,etc.) are established, and highly ranked videos and content creators 140are listed at the top of the ranking screen, thereby providing userswith a timely display of popular videos and popular content creators.

16. Accepting Tips

After a user has given a tip, the tip revenue module 205 calculates andgenerates tip revenue shares as decided upon by the content creator 140and the operator of the video hosting website 100, and the user database131 for the content creator 140, and the associated video database 130,are updated and saved.

For example, revenue shares of 60% for the content creator 140 and 40%for the operator of the video hosting website 100 are agreed upon, and,when a viewer 141 gives a tip of $1.00, the content creator 140 receives$0.60 and the operator of the video hosting website 100 receives $0.40.Once a tip payment is confirmed, the tip revenue module 205 distributesthe tip revenue according to conditions (revenue shares, paymentconditions, bank account for depositing tips, etc.) agreed upon with thecontent creator 140.

The tip revenue module 205 receives and displays information on tiprevenue details (numbers of transactions, times/dates, currencies,amounts, revenue shares, revenue amounts, tip payment dates, tip givers)for all videos uploaded by a user to the user interfaces 1400, 1401, andthe details (numbers of transactions, times/dates, currencies, amounts,payment IDs) for tips given by users for various videos on the userinterfaces 1500, 1501, from the video database 130 and the user database131.

If the content creator 140 has opted no for the tip acceptance setting901 for the uploaded video, the system according to the presentinvention does not display the tip button 400 on the video screen,making it impossible to receive tips for the video. After video upload,the content creator 140 can log into a user account page (not shown) andaccess a user interface 1600 from a Manage Videos button (not shown) toconfirm and change tip acceptance settings and downloading/savingpermission settings (rewards on/off) for each video in 1601.

17. Buying and Selling Prepaid Tip Coins

In the video hosting website 100 of the present invention, prepaid tipcoins are sold through the user interface 700, and are available forpurchase by users.

In this example, the tip revenue module 205 establishes and displays anexchange rate for currency and tip coins (701). Thus, if, for example,it has been established that USD 1.00=1.00 TipCoin, a user can use 1.00TipCoins to give a tip of USD 1.00. The tip revenue module 205 isconfigured so that rewards can be included with prepaid tip coins, andis configured so as to be capable of displaying explanations of rewards702, and awarding reward points as follows, for example.

Prepaid USD10.00=0.10TipCoins(Reward*0.10TipCoins)

Prepaid USD25.00=25.30TipCoins(Reward*0.30TipCoins)

Prepaid USD50.00=51.00TipCoins(Reward*1.00TipCoins)

Prepaid USD100.00=103.00TipCoins(Reward*3.00TipCoins)

The monetary amount of rewards may be borne by the operator of the videohosting website 100, in which case the user purchasing the prepaid tipcoins profits by indirectly receiving monetary rewards. The operator canalso alter and set reward points at any time in the tip revenue module205.

The tip revenue module 205 is also configured so as to enable users toconfirm prepaid tip coin conditions 701 and reward conditions 702 whenpurchasing tip coins. After confirming these conditions, the userselects the purchase amount 703, selects the payment method 704, inputsthe information required to carry out the payment, and clicks an orderbutton 705 to purchase prepaid tip coins.

When using a credit card or electronic payment to give a tip, the usermust transmit payment information, which is confidential userinformation, over the Internet every time such a payment is made.However, purchasing prepaid tip coins and using the coins to give tipsreduces the number of times confidential user information is transmittedover the Internet, thereby reducing the risk of confidential informationbeing hacked. Naturally, this exchange of confidential information isencrypted, and thus would be of no use to a hacker even if it werehacked. However, as the transmission of confidential information overthe Internet is not completely without risk, having users purchaseprepaid tip coins reduces the number of times confidential userinformation is transmitted over the Internet, resulting in increasedsecurity.

While the term “prepaid tip coin” is used herein, other names that makeit clear that users can give tips, such as “prepaid tip points” or“prepaid tip cash”, may also be used.

While the service is explicitly described in places in the foregoingdescription only as being for a content creator 140 and a video viewer141 for the sake of clarity, the service can be provided to all usersthat have a user ID 160.

18. Download Reward Settings

Next, the control of the user interface provided to the content creatorin “4. Uploading videos” above will be described.

The present invention is provided with the video provision optionscontrol module 126, which operates so that the tip acceptance setting901, download permission (reward) setting 902, and accepted tip countdisplay 904 operate in tandem in the user interface shown in FIG. 9 .

Specifically, the video provision options control module 126 displaysthe download reward selection 902 and tip count display selection 904only when the tip acceptance selection 901 has been set to allow(Yes/offer), and the download reward selection 902 and tip count displayselection 904 are not active, and cannot be selected or designated, whenthe tip acceptance selection 901 has been set to not allow (No/do notoffer).

Specifically, because the acceptance of ad revenues is a means ofreceiving remuneration that conflicts with tip payments, the videoprovision options control module 126 sets the ad revenue acceptanceselection 905 to No, and makes it inactive so as not to be selectable,when the content creator has selected to permit (Yes) for the tipacceptance selection 901. As a result, no ads (of any sort, includingin-stream ads) are displayed for the video. In other words, the videoprovision options control module 126 of the present invention isconfigured to operate either the tip acceptance selection 901 or the adrevenue selection 905 on the basis of the setting (Yes or No) for thetip payment selection 901.

As described above, the video provision options control module 126 isconfigured so that the user selects, on the user interface 902, whetherto permit downloading of a video to a user terminal as a reward (rewardson/offered) or not permit downloading (rewards off/not offered) only forvideos for which the content creator 140 has permitted tipping.

The operation of the video provision options control module 126described above will now be described in greater detail with referenceto the flowchart in FIG. 17 .

First, when the content creator 140 clicks, for example, the “Upload”button 402 in the user interface shown in FIG. 4 in step 1701, the videoprovision options control module 126 confirms whether the contentcreator 140 is already logged in (1702), has the content creator log inif not logged in, and displays a specific user interface 900 (FIG. 9 )on the basis of the ID of the user (step 1703). Although the process isnot shown in the drawings, if the user is not registered with the videohosting website 100, the user is directed to a user registration page(not shown), is registered, and acquires a user ID 160, which isidentified when logging in (1703).

Out of a plurality of options 901, 902, 904, 905 selectable by thecontent creator in the default user interface 900 display, the videoprovision options control module 126 sets the tip acceptance option 901,tip count selection 904, and download reward selection 902 to active,and sets the ad revenue acceptance selection 905 to No and renders theselection inactive so that it cannot be selected (step 1703). In thepresent embodiment, Yes has been selected for all of the active options901, 904, 902.

Next, if the content creator changes the tip acceptance selection 901 toNo, this is detected in steps 1704, 1705, and the display of the userinterface 900 is updated (step 1706). Specifically, in such cases, thetip count selection 904 and the download reward selection 902 are set toinactive, and, in their place, the ad revenue acceptance selection 905is set to active so as to be selectable (step 1703). As described above,No is selected for the ad revenue selection 905 by default.

If the content creator changes the tip acceptance selection 901 to No,then back to Yes, this is detected in steps 1104, 1105, and the displayof the user interface 900 is updated, as shown in step 1707.Specifically, in such cases, the tip acceptance selection 901, tip countselection 904, and download reward selection 902 are set to active, andthe ad revenue acceptance selection 905 is set to No, and renderedinactive so as to be unselectable.

Next, the video provision options control module 126 waits for the userto make selections for the various options (step 1708), and, when theSubmit Now button is pressed (step 1709), the video file is uploaded andsaved in the video database 130 along with the option settings selectedby the user (step 1710).

In this arrangement, when the tip acceptance selection 901 is set toYes, the download reward selection 902 is made active, allowing the userto select whether to permit (offer a reward) or not permit (not offer areward) downloading and saving of the video when a tip is given for thevideo (steps 1703, 1707).

If video downloading/saving is permitted (a reward is offered) in thesesteps, a tip button 400 for the video is generated on the user interfaceshown in FIG. 10 , as described above, and a download reward display1002 is also displayed. As a result, the viewer 141 can confirm that thevideo offers a download reward. Next, when the viewer 141 gives a tipfor the video, the video download button/link display module 202 andoffline playback/background playback control module 203 activate,enabling downloading and saving, offline playback, and backgroundplayback of the video on a terminal of the viewer 141, as describedabove.

If, in steps 1704, 1705, it is detected that the content creator 140 hasnot opted to accept tips for the video, and said setting has been saved(step 1710), a tip button 400 is not generated for the video, the tipbutton 400 is not displayed on the user interface, and tips cannot beaccepted, as described above.

If the content creator 140 uses the interface 900 to set the downloadreward selection 902 to No (no reward offered) for a video for which atip is given, the download reward display 1002 is not displayed on thetip button 400 for the video on the user interface shown in FIG. 10 ,and the viewer 141 is capable of confirming that a download reward isnot offered for the video. In such cases, the video download button/linkdisplay module 202 and offline playback/background playback controlmodule 203 do not activate even if a viewer 141 gives a tip for thevideo, and the video cannot be downloaded and saved, played offline, orplayed in the background on the terminal of the viewer 141.

After video upload, the content creator 140 can log into and access auser account page (not shown) and access the user interface 1600 shownin FIG. 16 from a Manage Videos button (not shown) to confirm and changetip acceptance settings and downloading/saving permission settings(rewards) for each video in 1601.

As concerns the download reward display 1002, a display method otherthan the download reward display 1002 displayed on the tip button 400 asdescribed above, or a method other than one in which, after a tippayment is confirmed, a download button 1001 and a background playbackbutton 1003 are generated and displayed on the user interface, may beused as long as the viewer 141 is capable of confirming whether or notdownload rewards are offered for each video, and the video downloadbutton/link display module 202 and the offline playback/backgroundplayback control module 203 operate in tandem.

For example, if the video download permission setting 902 in FIG. 9 isset to permit (offer a reward), a download button 1001A and a backgroundplayback button 1003A such as shown in FIG. 19A-C may be displayed.

In addition, an arrangement is acceptable in which, after the viewer 141has given a tip for the video using the tip button 400, the videodownload button/link display module 202 and the offlineplayback/background playback control module 203 activate, and thedisplay of the download button 1001A is altered to 1001B, as shown inFIG. 19B, and the display of the background button 1003A is altered to1003B, as shown in FIG. 19C, to show that the buttons are active. Thedownload buttons may also be displayed in forms such as shown in FIG.19D (icons only).

If the video download permission setting 902 is set to not permitted (noreward offered), the download button 1001A and background playbackbutton 1003A are not displayed, and the video download button/linkdisplay module 202 and offline playback/background playback controlmodule 203 do not activate. After video upload, the content creator 140can log into a user account page (not shown) and access a user interface1600 from a Manage Videos button (not shown) to confirm and change tipacceptance settings and downloading/saving permission settings (rewards)for each video in 1601.

The present invention is not limited to the example described above, andvarious modifications may be made thereto to the extent that they do notdepart from the gist of the invention.

For example, for the tip payment means, apart from setting the tipbutton 400 as described in the foregoing embodiment, the operator of thevideo site 100 can also alter the user interface 600 so that defaultsettings for the tip button 400 are set in advance. The default settingsfor the tip button 400 are amount per click (including currency) andpayment method (prepaid tip, credit card, electronic currency, etc.),and the operator of the video site 100 can alter the user interface 600to set defaults for the tip button 400.

For example, to set defaults of 1 USD per click and prepaid tips as thepayment method, the interface 1800 shown in FIG. 18 is provided insteadof the user interface 600 shown in FIG. 6 , the amount and currency perclick of the tip button (1802) are displayed, and only the default tippayment method 1804 is displayed.

In order to set these defaults, the content viewer 141 can, asnecessary, access the user interface for tip button settings, andconfirm the default settings for the tip button 400.

In the interface shown in FIG. 18 , label 1807 indicates a button foraccessing the prepaid tip coin purchasing interface (returning to FIG. 7). A similar button may also be provided in the interface shown in FIG.6 .

19. Reward Definitions

The definition of a reward (premium) is that it is possible, dependingon the options settings set by the content creator, to decline to offera video download reward even if a viewer gives a tip using the tippingbutton 400. By virtue of this function, the video download reward can bedefined as a reward (premium) rather than products or services for sale.In other words, a reward is something that money cannot buy.

The above described embodiment only shows video downloading as rewards;however the rewards are not limited to videos according to thedefinition but may be audios extracted from videos, or other rewards(extra rewards) may be offered in addition to videos and audios.

The following section explains an example in which audio rewards andother rewards (extra rewards) are offered in addition to video rewards.

20. System/Server Configuration

FIG. 20 shows a system configuration of another embodiment of thepresent invention. In this embodiment, in addition to the elements shownin FIG. 1 , the system comprises various databases including a videoaudio database 135 and an extra rewards database 136.

In this example, the records of registered users includes names, usernames, channel names, passwords, email addresses, tip paymentinformation (credit card numbers, online payment information, etc.),tipping settings, tip receipt information (bank account, etc.), tippingrecords, tip receipt records, video viewing records, video uploadrecords, video upload settings, rewards settings, extra rewardssettings, author records, violation records, and ad settings information(whether or not the user wishes to receive ad revenue for uploadedvideos, and settings for doing so).

Records are also included for users who simply watch videos withoutbeing registered on the video hosting website 100.

In the other embodiment, users not registered with the video hostingwebsite 100 can view videos, but must register with the video hostingwebsite 100 and obtain a user ID 160 in order to utilize services suchas paying tips, receiving tips, uploading videos, downloading videos(rewards), downloading video audio (rewards), uploading extra rewarddata, receiving extra rewards, rating videos, and posting comments;thus, the operator of the video hosting website 100, through the userinterface (not shown) on the front end server 110, notifies unregisteredusers of the option of registering with the site, and encourages them todo so.

In the user interface 920 in the user interface 900 shown in FIG. 26 ,as will be discussed in detail hereinafter, the video data to upload canbe designated by selecting the storage location of the video or draggingand dropping the file, and video title, description, tags, and categorycan be designated.

One can also select and designate whether to accept tips for a video(tip acceptance option 901), whether to display the number of receivedtips (tip count display option 904), whether to permit downloading ofthe video by (offer a reward to) tipping users (video download rewardoption 902), whether to permit downloading of the audio of the video by(offer a reward to) tipping users (video audio download reward option906), whether to accept paid ads (ad revenue option 905), whether tooffer an extra reward to tipping users (extra reward option 907).

When a Submit Now button 918 in the interface is clicked, the videoimporting module 121 uploads the video data designated in 920 describedabove and stores the data in the video database 130, and the records inthe user database 131 are updated and saved.

The options settings designated using the user interface 900 (FIG. 26 )cause the associated modules to operate; these option settings andoperation will be described in detail hereinafter.

21. Tipping Module

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of the tipping module 124 shown in FIG. 20 .

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 21 , the tipping module 124 comprises avideo audio module 206 and an extra reward module 207.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a process performed by the tipping module 124,which works together with the video selection/designation operationperformed by the viewer terminal 141.

When a viewer selects and designates a video for viewing (step 2201),the tipping button/link display module 200, detecting that a video hasbeen designated, runs (step 2202), it is confirmed that a selection hasbeen made to accept tips (Yes) in the tip acceptance option 901 made forthe video provision options control module 126 in the user interface 900(FIG. 26 ) for the video upload (step 2203, and an active tipping button400 as shown in FIG. 23 is displayed as a result (step 2204), allowingthe viewer to leave a tip.

Because other, conflicting remuneration payment means, such as the addisplay module 125 in this example, are installed in the system of thepresent invention, the video provision options control module 126 stopsthe operation or inhibits the launching of the ad display module 125 sothat no ads (of any sort, including in-stream ads) are displayed.

In the present embodiment, in other words, the video provision optionscontrol module 126 performs control so that either the tippingbutton/link display module 200 or the ad display module 125 operates,according to the setting (Yes or No) of the tip acceptance option 901.

When the ad display module 125 operates, an “Ads OFF” button 403 may beprovided as shown, for example, beside the video “Upload” button 402 inFIG. 23 , the video provision options control module 126 performscontrol so as to stop the operation of the ad display module 125, withthe result that the video provision options control module 126 performscontrol so as to launch the tipping button/link display module 200. Sucha button may also be set for the video hosting website 100 as a whole.

The system may also be configured so that, when the tipping button/linkdisplay module 200 is operating (the tipping button 400 is active), thevideo provision options control module 126 displays an “Ads ON” button404, as shown in the drawing, and the button may be clicked to cause thevideo provision options control module 126 to stop the operation of thetipping button/link display module 200, the tipping button 400 is notdisplayed (rendered inactive), and the ad display module 125 is therebylaunched, in the opposite of the process described above.

In this case, either the tip acceptance option 901 or the ad revenueoption 905, but not both, as described above, is activated; the addisplay module 125 launches; the ad revenue option 905 is set to Yes;the tip acceptance option 901, tip count display option 904, videodownload reward option 902, video audio download reward option 906, andextra reward option 907 are forcibly set to No and deactivated; and thevideo provision options control module 126 performs control so that thecontent creator cannot select or designate these options. As a result,when the operation of the ad display module 125 is stopped using the“Ads OFF” button 403 and the tipping button/link display module 200exclusively operates, the tip acceptance setting 901 is forcibly set toYes, the ad revenue option 905 is forcibly set to No, and the videoprovision options control module 126 performs control so that thecontent creator cannot select or designate these options.

As a result, the video hosting website becomes completely ad-free,including in-stream ads. In this case (ads not shown/ad revenue option905 set to No), the content creator is capable of selecting anddesignating Yes or No for the video download reward option 902, videoaudio download reward option 906, and extra reward option 907 fortipping-enabled videos. The setting and operation of rewards will bedescribed in detail hereinafter.

Next, when the viewer clicks on the tipping button 400 on the viewerterminal 141, the tip processing module 201 runs in response to the tiprequest (step 2205), the tip processing module 201 maps the video ID,user ID 160, tipping settings, tip payment settings, and tip amountsettings (step 2206), and a tipping details confirmation screen 2501 isreturned to the viewer terminal 141 (step 2207).

When the viewer has confirmed the tip details 2501 and clicks a confirmtipping button 2506 on the viewer terminal 141, the tip processingmodule 201 receives the confirmation signal (step 2208) and starts a tippayment approval process through the viewer terminal 141 (step 2209).

If the viewer's tip payment setting is set to credit card, electronicpayment, or the like, the tip processing module 201 sends a paymentapproval request to the payment company, and obtains payment approvalfrom the payment company (step 2210).

If the payment cannot be approved, a payment error message (not shown)is displayed on the viewer terminal 141.

When the tip payment has been approved, a tipping complete message isdisplayed on the viewer terminal 141 (step 2211), a tip ID issimultaneously issued (step 2212), and the information in the userdatabase 131 and the video database 130 are updated and saved inassociation with the user ID 160 and the video ID (step 2213).

22. Controlling the Reward Settings User Interface

The control of the user interface provided on the content creatorterminal 140 in the process described in section 4, “Uploading videos”will now be described.

The present invention is provided with the aforementioned videoprovision options control module 126, which causes the tip acceptanceoption 901, tip count display option 904, video download reward option902, video audio download reward option 906, and extra reward option 907in the user interface 900 shown in FIG. 26 to work together.

Specifically, only if Yes has been designated for the tip acceptanceoption 901, the video provision options control module 126 displays anactive tip count display option 904, video download reward option 902,video audio download reward option 906, and extra reward option 907,allowing these options to be selected and designated, and, if No hasbeen designated for the tip acceptance option 901, the tip count displayoption 904, video download reward option 902, video audio downloadreward option 906, and extra reward option 907 are inactive, and cannotbe selected and designated.

Specifically, because ad revenue is a means of receiving remunerationthat conflicts with tip payments, the video provision options controlmodule 126 sets the ad revenue option 905 to No if the content creatorhas selected Yes for the tip acceptance option 901, and makes itinactive so as not to be selectable.

As a result, no ads (of any sort, including in-stream ads) are displayedin the video. In other words, the video provision options control module126 of the present invention is configured to run either the tipacceptance option 901 or the ad revenue option 905 depending on thesetting (Yes or No) for the tip acceptance option 901.

As discussed above, the video provision options control module 126 isconfigured so that, only for videos for which the content creator haspermitted tipping, the user, using the user interface 900, selects,designates, and sets whether to offer video downloading, video audiodownloading, and extra rewards as rewards or to not offer videodownloading, video audio downloading, and extra rewards.

Options settings associated with the video uploading described above,and the operation of the video provision options control module 126,described above will now be described in greater detail with referenceto the flowchart in FIG. 24 .

First, in step 2401, the content creator clicks, for example, the video“Upload” button 402 in the user interface shown in FIG. 23 , whereuponthe video provision options control module 126 confirms whether thecontent provider is already logged in (step 2402), has the contentprovider log in if not logged in, and displays a specific user interface900 (FIG. 26 ) according to the ID 160 of the user (step 2403).

The user interface 900 is displayed (step 2403), and the video to beuploaded is designated in 920. Out of the multiple options 901, 902,904, 905, 906, and 907 selectable by the content creator in the defaultdisplay of the user interface 900, the video provision options controlmodule 126 sets the tip acceptance option 901, tip count display option904, video download reward option 902, video audio download rewardoption 906, and extra reward option 907 to active, and selects no forthe ad revenue option 905 and sets the option to inactive so that itcannot be selected (step 2403).

In this embodiment, Yes is selected for all of the active options 901,902, 904, 906, and 907. The ad revenue option 905 is forcibly set to No,and is in an inactive state.

Next, if the content creator changes the tip acceptance option 901 to Noon the terminal 140, this is detected in steps 2404, 2405, and thedisplay on the user interface 900 is updated (step 2406).

Specifically, in this case, the tip count display option 904, videodownload reward option 902, video audio download reward option 906, andextra reward option 907 are set to inactive, and the ad revenue option905 is set to active in their place so that a selection can be made.

As described above, No is selected for the ad revenue option 905 bydefault.

If the content creator changes the tip acceptance option 901 to No, thenback to Yes, this is detected in steps 2404, 2405, and the display onthe user interface 900 is updated, as shown in step 2407.

Specifically, in this case, the tip acceptance option 901, tip countdisplay option 904, video download reward option 902, video audiodownload reward option 906, and extra reward option 907 are set toactive, and the ad revenue option 905 is set to No and rendered inactiveand unselectable.

Next, the video provision options control module 126 waits for theuser's option selections (step 2408), and, when the Submit Now button918 is clicked (step 2409), the video importing module 121 uploads thevideo data designated in 920 described above and stores the data in thevideo database 130, and the records in the user database 131 are updatedand saved (step 2410). Simultaneously, the video provision optionscontrol module 126 confirms the option settings selected by the contentcreator, runs the modules for the various options according to theoptions settings, the data and settings for the various options aresaved in the various databases, and, simultaneously, the optionssettings are also saved in the user database 131, and the records areupdated and saved (step 2410). The various options settings and theoperation thereof will be described in detail hereinafter for eachoption.

In accordance with this arrangement, when Yes is set for the tipacceptance option 901, the video download reward option 902, video audiodownload reward option 906, and extra reward option 907 become active,making it possible to select the options to offer a video downloadreward, offer a video audio download reward, and offer an extra reward,or to not offer a video download reward, not offer a video audiodownload reward, and not offer an extra reward, for a tipping-enabledvideo (steps 2403, 2407).

23. Video Download Rewards

The present invention is provided with a video download reward function,allowing the content creator to select and designate Yes or No for thevideo download reward option 902 in the user interface 900 (FIG. 26 ).As described above, only when the content creator has set the tipacceptance option 901 to Yes, the video provision options control module126 displays an active video download reward option 902, allowing aselection to be made and set, and the ad revenue option 905 is forciblyset to No and rendered inactive so that it cannot be selected.

If the tip acceptance option 901 is set to No, the video provisionoptions control module 126 forcibly sets the video download rewardoption 902 to No and renders it inactive so that it cannot be selected,and the ad revenue option 905 is set to Yes.

The setting and operation of the video download reward option 902 willnow be described in greater detail with reference to the flowchart inFIG. 24 .

As described in the previous section, the content creator clicks on thevideo “Upload” button 402 (step 2401) and logs in, and the user ID 160is identified (step 2402). When the content creator sets the videodownload reward option 902 to Yes (step 2407), the system waits for thecontent creator's option selections (step 2408), the Submit Now button918 is pressed (step 2409), and the settings are saved (step 2410); thevideo provision options control module 126, which controls theseoptions, runs, detects that the tip acceptance option 901 and the videodownload reward option 902 have been set to Yes, and conveys thisinformation to the tipping button/link display module 200; and a tippingbutton 400 for the video is generated in the user interface (FIG. 25 ),and a reward indicator (REWARDS) 1007 and video download rewardindicator 1002 are displayed on the tipping button 400.

This enables the viewer to confirm on the terminal 141, before giving atip, that a video download reward is offered for the video.

When the video download reward option 902 is set to No, and this settinghas been saved (step 2410), the video provision options control module126 detects this fact and performs control so that the reward indicator(REWARDS) 1007 and video download reward indicator 1002 are notdisplayed on the tipping button 400 for the video in the user interfaceshown in FIG. 25 , thus allowing a viewer to confirm that the video doesnot offer a video download reward.

24. Video Downloading/Saving

FIG. 28 is a flowchart of a process of downloading and saving a videodownload reward after a tip has been given.

When a viewer has finished giving a tip using the tipping button 400, inwhich the reward indicator (REWARDS) 1007 and video download rewardindicator 1002 are displayed in FIG. 27 , the video provision optionscontrol module 126 receives a tipping complete signal from the tipprocessing module 201 and runs (step 2801), and confirms the Yessettings for the tip acceptance option 901 and the video download rewardoption 902 options in 900 (FIG. 26 ) (step 2802).

If the video download reward option 902 is set to Yes, the videoprovision options control module 126 sends a request signal to the videodownload button/link display module 202 (step 2803), the video downloadbutton/link display module 202 confirms the video data in the videodatabase 130, maps the video ID, user ID 160, and tipping ID (step2804), generates a video download button 1001 (FIG. 27 ), displays thedownloadable file size, and displays the video download button 1001 on areward provision user interface 2701 (FIG. 27 ) (STEP 2805).

When the viewer clicks the video download button 1001 (step 2806), thevideo download button/link display module 202 receives a downloadrequest signal, extracts the indicated video file from the videodatabase 130 and transmits the file to the viewer (step 2807), and theviewer saves the downloaded video on the terminal 141 (step 2808). Whenthe video has finished downloading, a video download complete screen isdisplayed (step 2809).

In step 2802, if the video download reward option 902 has been set to Noand the setting has been saved, a tipping button 400 for the video isgenerated and displayed on the user interface, the video provisionoptions control module 126 detects that the tip acceptance option 901has been set to Yes and the video download reward option 902 to No inthe options settings in 900 and performs control, and the rewardindicator (REWARDS) 1007 and video download reward indicator 1002 arenot displayed on the tipping button 400 for the video, thus allowing theviewer to confirm that a video download reward is not offered for thevideo.

In this case, even if the viewer gives a tip using the tipping button400 of the video, the video provision options control module 126, havingreceived the tipping complete signal from the tip processing module 201,detects that the tip acceptance option 901 has been set to Yes and thevideo download reward option 902 to No and performs control (step 2802),the video download button/link display module 202 does not run, thevideo download button 1001 (FIG. 27 ) is not generated, and the videocannot be downloaded to and saved on the viewer's terminal 141.

After uploading a video, the content creator can log into the useraccount page (not shown) from the content creator terminal 140 and clicka Manage Videos button (not shown) to access a user interface 1600, andaccess the user interface 900 for each video in 1601 to confirm andalter the settings for the tip acceptance option 901, tip count displayoption 904, video download reward option 902, video audio downloadreward option 906, ad revenue option 905, and extra reward option 907.

25. Video Audio Download Rewards

The present embodiment is provided with a video audio download rewardfunction, allowing the content creator to select and designate Yes or Nofor the video audio download reward option 906 in the user interface 900(FIG. 26 ). As described above, only when the content creator has setthe tip acceptance option 901 to Yes, the video provision optionscontrol module 126 displays an active video audio download reward option906, allowing a selection to be made and set, and the ad revenue option905 is forcibly set to No and rendered inactive so that it cannot beselected.

If the tip acceptance option 901 is set to No, the video provisionoptions control module 126 forcibly sets the video audio download rewardoption 906 to No and renders it inactive so that it cannot be selected,and the ad revenue option 905 is set to Yes.

The setting and operation of the video audio download reward option 906will now be described in greater detail with reference to the flowchartin FIG. 24 .

As described in the previous section, the content provider clicks on thevideo “Upload” button 402 (step 2401) on the content creator's terminal140 and logs in, and the user ID 160 is identified (step 2402). When thecontent creator sets the video audio download reward option 906 to Yes(step 2407), the system waits for the content creator's optionselections (step 2408), the Submit Now button 918 is pressed (step2409), and the settings are saved (step 2410); the video provisionoptions control module 126, which controls these options, runs, detectsthat the tip acceptance option 901 and the video audio download rewardoption 906 have been set to Yes, and conveys this information to thevideo audio module 206.

The video audio module 206 extracts the audio data from the video datastored in the video database 130; creates a file by converting(encoding, transcoding) and compressing the data to an optimal audiofile format, such as MP3, FLAC, Vorbis, WAV, AAC, or the like; andassigns a video audio ID (identifier) to the file, maps the file withthe video ID and the user ID 160, stores the file along with optionssettings in the video audio database 135, and updates and saves the userdatabase 131.

The video audio module 206 then sends, to the video provision optionscontrol module 126, a signal indicating that the video audio hasfinishing being converted to a file, the video provision options controlmodule 126 conveys this information to the tipping button/link displaymodule 200, a tipping button 400 for the video is generated in the userinterface (FIG. 25 ), and a reward indicator (REWARDS) 1007 and videoaudio download reward indicator 1005 are displayed on the tipping button400.

This enables the viewer to confirm, before giving a tip, that a videoaudio download reward is offered for the video.

When the video audio download reward option 906 is set to No, and thissetting has been saved (step 2410), the video provision options controlmodule 126 detects this fact and performs control so that the rewardindicator (REWARDS) 1007 and video audio download reward indicator 1005are not displayed on the tipping button 400 for the video in the userinterface shown in FIG. 25 , thus allowing a viewer to confirm that thevideo does not offer a video audio download reward.

26. Video Audio Downloading/Saving

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of a process of downloading and saving a videoaudio download reward after a tip has been given.

When a viewer has finished giving a tip using the tipping button 400, inwhich the reward indicator (REWARDS) 1007 and video audio downloadreward indicator 1005 are displayed in FIG. 27 , the video provisionoptions control module 126 receives a tipping complete signal from thetip processing module 201 and runs (step 2901), and confirms the Yessettings for the tip acceptance option 901 and the video audio downloadreward option 906 options in 900 (FIG. 26 ) (step 2902).

If the video audio download reward option 906 is set to Yes, the videoprovision options control module 126 sends a request signal to the videoaudio module 206 (step 2903), the video audio module 206 confirms thevideo data in the video audio database 135, maps the video audio ID,video ID, user ID 160, and tipping ID (step 2904), generates a videoaudio download button 1008 (FIG. 27 ), displays the downloadable filesize, and displays the video audio download button 1008 on the rewardprovision user interface 2701 (STEP 2905).

Then, when the viewer clicks the video audio download button 1008 (step2906), the video audio module 206 extracts the indicated video audiofile from the video audio database 135 and transmits the file to theviewer terminal 141 (step 2907), and the viewer downloads and saves thevideo audio for the video to the terminal 141 (step 2908).

When the video audio has finished downloading, a video audio downloadcomplete screen is displayed (step 2909).

In step 2902, if the video audio download reward option 906 has been setto No and the setting has been saved, a tipping button 400 for the videois generated and displayed in the user interface (FIG. 27 ), the videoprovision options control module 126 detects that the tip acceptanceoption 901 has been set to Yes and the video audio download rewardoption 906 to No in the options settings in 900 and performs control,and the reward indicator (REWARDS) 1007 and video audio download rewardindicator 1005 are not displayed on the tipping button 400 for thevideo, thus allowing the viewer to confirm that a video audio downloadreward is not offered for the video.

In this case, even if the viewer gives a tip using the tipping button400 of the video, the video provision options control module 126 detectsthat the tip acceptance option 901 has been set to Yes and the videoaudio download reward option 906 to No and performs control (step 2902),the video audio module 206 does not run, the video audio download button1008 is not generated, and the video audio cannot be downloaded to andsaved on the viewer's terminal 141.

After uploading a video from the terminal 140, the content creator canlog into the user account page (not shown) from the content creatorterminal 140 and click a Manage Videos button (not shown) to access auser interface 1600, and access the user interface 900 for each video in1601 to confirm and alter the settings for the tip acceptance option901, tip count display option 904, video download reward option 902,video audio download reward option 906, ad revenue option 905, and extrareward option 907.

27. Extra Rewards

The system according to the present embodiment is provided with an extrarewards function, and the content creator can select and designate Yesor No for the extra reward option 907 in the interface 900 (FIG. 26 )displayed on the terminal 140.

As described above, only when the content creator has set the tipacceptance option 901 to Yes, the video provision options control module126 displays an active extra reward option 907, allowing a selection tobe made and set, and the ad revenue option 905 is forcibly set to No andrendered inactive so that it cannot be selected.

If the tip acceptance option 901 is set to No, the video provisionoptions control module 126 forcibly sets the extra reward option 907 toNo and renders it inactive so that it cannot be selected, and the adrevenue option 905 is set to Yes. The setting and operation of the extrareward option 907 will now be described in greater detail with referenceto the flowchart in FIG. 24 .

As described above, the content creator clicks on the video “Upload”button 402 (step 2401) and logs in, and the user ID 160 is identified(step 2402). If the content creator sets the extra reward option 907 toYes, an active reward type selection 908 (FIG. 26 ) is displayed, andthe content creator selects and designates the reward type.

If the content creator selects and designates a download reward type 909or an in-site page display reward type 910 in the reward type selection908, an active user interface 912 is displayed (FIG. 26 ), and thecontent creator designates the reward data in the user interface 912,and uploads the data from the terminal 140.

Digital content items of various formats, including video, audio,images, and text files such as MPEG, MP4, MOV, MP3, FLAC, WAV, JPEG,PNG, GIF, and PDF files, can be uploaded. The content creator enters areward name in 914, and a reward description in 915.

If the content creator has designated an external page link reward type911, an active URL input box 913 (FIG. 26A) is displayed, and thecontent creator enters the URL of an external page through which thereward is offered. The content creator enters a reward name in 914, anda reward description in 915. Also, when the external page link rewardtype 911 is selected, the user interface 912 is not displayed, making itimpossible to designate and upload data.

The content creator sets the extra reward option 907 to Yes anddesignates one of a download reward type 909, an in-site page displaytype 910, or an external page line reward type 911 (step 2407), thesystem waits for the content provider's option selections (step 2408),the Submit Now button 918 is pressed (step 2409), and the settings aresaved (step 2410); the video provision options control module 126, whichcontrols these options, runs, detects that the tip acceptance option 901and the extra reward option 907 have been set to Yes, and conveys thisinformation to the extra reward module 207.

When a download reward type 909 is designated for the reward typeselection 908, the extra reward module 207 creates a file by converting(encoding, transcoding) and compressing the extra reward data designatedand uploaded using the user interface 912 to an optimal file format, andassigns an extra reward ID (identifier). The extra reward file and extrareward ID are mapped to the entered reward name 914, reward description915, options settings, video ID, and user ID 160 and stored in the extrarewards database 136, and the user database 131 is updated and saved.

When an in-site page display reward type 910 is designated for thereward type selection 908, the extra reward module 207 creates a file byconverting (encoding, transcoding) and compressing the extra reward datadesignated and uploaded using the user interface 912 to an optimal fileformat, assigns an extra reward ID (identifier) thereto, assigns anin-site page display URL for the video hosting website 100 at which theextra reward file is displayed, and generates an extra reward page onwhich the extra reward file is displayed. The extra reward file, extrareward page, in-site page display URL, and extra reward ID are mapped tothe entered reward name 914, reward description 915, options settings,video ID, and user ID 160 and stored in the extra rewards database 136,and the user database 131 is updated and saved.

When an external page link reward type 911 is selected for the rewardtype selection 908, the extra reward module 207 assigns an extra rewardID (identifier) to the URL entered in the URL input box 913. Theexternal page link and extra reward ID are mapped to the entered rewardname 914, reward description 915, options settings, video ID, and userID 160 and stored in the extra rewards database 136, and the userdatabase 131 is updated and saved.

The extra reward module 207 then sends, to the video provision optionscontrol module 126, a signal indicating that the extra reward hasfinished processing, the video provision options control module 126receives the signal and conveys this information to the tippingbutton/link display module 200, a tipping button 400 for the video isgenerated in the user interface (FIG. 25 ), and a reward indicator(REWARDS) 1007 and extra reward indicator 1006 are displayed on thetipping button 400, thereby allowing a viewer to confirm, beforetipping, that the video comes with an extra reward.

When the extra reward option 907 is set to No, and this setting has beensaved (step 2410), the video provision options control module 126detects this fact and performs control so that the reward indicator(REWARDS) 1007 and extra reward indicator 1006 are not displayed on thetipping button 400 for the video in the user interface shown in FIG. 25, thus allowing a viewer to confirm that the video does not offer anextra reward.

Multiple extra rewards can be offered. To add an extra reward, an addextra reward button 919 is clicked to display an additional extra rewardinterface 921 on the user interface 900 (FIG. 26B), thus allowing Yes orNo to be selected and designated for the extra reward option 907 asdescribed above. The method of setting and the operation of additionalextra rewards are the same as in the case of the method of setting extrarewards described above.

28. Receiving Extra Rewards

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of a process of receiving an extra reward after atip has been given.

When a viewer has finished giving a tip using the tipping button 400, inwhich the reward indicator (REWARDS) 1007 and extra reward indicator1006 are displayed (FIG. 27 ), the video provision options controlmodule 126 receives a tipping complete signal from the tip processingmodule 201 and runs (step 3001), and confirms the Yes settings for thetip acceptance option 901 and the extra reward option 907 options in 900(FIG. 26 , FIG. 26A and FIG. 26B) (step 3002), and sends a request tothe extra reward module 207 (step 3003); and the extra reward module 207confirms the extra reward data with the extra rewards database 136, mapsthe data to the extra reward ID, video ID, user ID 160, and tip ID (step3004), and confirms the reward type designated in the reward typeselection 908 (step 3005).

If the download reward type 909 is designated in the reward typeselection 908 (step 3006), the extra reward module 207 generates anextra reward provision button 1004 (FIG. 27 ), and displays the extrareward provision button 1004 on the reward provision user interface 2701along with the name of the extra reward, the form of the reward (in thiscase, a download), and the file size (step 3006).

When a viewer clicks the extra reward provision button 1004 (in thiscase, a download) (step 3010), the extra reward module 207 receives arequest signal, extracts the indicated extra reward file from the extrarewards database 136, and transmits the file to the viewer terminal 141,and the viewer downloads and saves the extra reward on the terminal(step 3010). When the extra reward has finished downloading, an extrareward complete screen is displayed (step 3011).

If the in-site page display reward type 910 is designated in the rewardtype selection 908 (steps 3007, 3008), the extra reward module 207embeds the assigned in-site page display URL in the extra rewardprovision button 1004A (FIG. 27 ), and displays the extra rewardprovision button 1004A on the reward provision user interface 2701 alongwith the name of the extra reward and the form of the reward (in thiscase, an in-site page display) (step 3008).

When the viewer clicks the extra reward provision button 1004A (step3010), the assigned in-site page display URL page is linked to, theextra reward file is displayed on the in-site page (not shown), and theviewer receives the reward (step 3010). When the in-site extra rewardpage has finished displaying, an extra reward complete screen isdisplayed (step 3011).

If the external page link reward type 911 is designated in the rewardtype selection 908 (step 3009), the extra reward module 207 embeds theURL entered into the external page link URL input box 913 in the extrareward provision button 1004B (FIG. 27 ), and displays the extra rewardprovision button 1004B on the reward provision user interface 2701 alongwith the name of the extra reward and the form of the reward (in thiscase, an external page link) (step 3009).

When the viewer clicks the extra reward provision button 1004B (step3010), an external page indicated by the URL entered into the URL inputbox 913 is linked to, the page is displayed, and the viewer who gave thetip receives the reward on the displayed external page (not shown). Whenthe extra reward external page has finished displaying, an extra rewardcomplete screen is displayed (step 3011).

In step 3002, if the extra reward option 907 has been set to No and thesetting has been saved (step 3002), a tipping button 400 for the videois generated on the user interface in FIG. 27 , the video provisionoptions control module 126 detects that the extra reward option 907 forthe video has been set to No and performs control, and the rewardindicator (REWARDS) 1007 and extra reward indicator 1006 are notdisplayed on the tipping button 400, thus allowing the viewer to confirmthat an extra reward is not offered for the video.

In this case, even if the viewer gives a tip for the video using thetipping button 400, the video provision options control module 126detects that the extra reward option 907 has been set to No and performscontrol, the extra reward module 207 does not run, and extra rewardprovision buttons 1004, 1004A and 1004B are not generated, making itimpossible to receive extra rewards for the video.

After uploading a video from the terminal 140, the content creator canlog into the user account page (not shown) from the content creatorterminal 140 and click a Manage Videos button (not shown) to access auser interface 1600, and access the user interface 900 for each video in1601 to confirm and alter the settings for the tip acceptance option901, tip count display option 904, video download reward option 902,video audio download reward option 906, ad revenue option 905, and extrareward option 907.

29. Tipping Button and Tipping Details Confirmation Screen

While the main function of the tipping button 400 in the presentinvention is as a tipping button while a viewer is watching a video, thereward indicator (REWARDS) 1007, video download reward indicator 1002,video audio download reward indicator 1005, and extra reward indicator1006 are displayed on the tipping button 400 according to the optionssettings selected by the content creator, as discussed above, allowingthe viewer to confirm an overview of rewards before tipping.

When a viewer clicks on the tipping button 400 while any of the rewardindicator (REWARDS) 1007, video download reward indicator 1002, videoaudio download reward indicator 1005, and extra reward indicator 1006 isdisplayed on the tipping button 400, and the tipping detailsconfirmation screen 2501 is displayed; and the reward indicator (Rewardsfor tipping) 2502, video download reward details (file size indication)2503, video audio download reward details (file size indication) 2504,and extra rewards details (extra reward names and reward types) 2505 aredisplayed on the tipping details confirmation screen 2501 according tothe options settings in the user interface 900 (FIG. 26 , FIG. 26A andFIG. 26B). This function allows the viewer to confirm the details of therewards before tipping.

30. Simultaneous Designation of Tip Remuneration Means and AdRemuneration Means

In the embodiment described in the previous sections, the videoprovision options control module 126 activates either the tip acceptanceoption 901 or the ad income acceptance option 905, but not both, andactivates either the accompanying tipping button/link display module 200or the ad display module 125, but not both, thus forcing a mutuallyexclusive choice of tips or ads as the remuneration payment means.

However, it is also possible to change the settings of the videoprovision options control module 126, simultaneously activate both thetip acceptance option 901 and the ad income acceptance option 905, andsimultaneously activate the accompanying tipping button/link displaymodule 200 and ad display module 125 to allow the tip acceptance option901 and the ad income acceptance option 905 to be simultaneously set toYes, and control the video provision options control module 126 so as tosimultaneously receive tip remuneration and ad remuneration.

In this case, the mutually exclusive operation of the tip acceptanceoption 901 and the ad revenue option 905, and the mutually exclusiveoperation of the accompanying tipping button/link display module 200 andad display module 125, are eliminated.

As a result, the tip acceptance option 901 and ad income acceptanceoption 905 can be simultaneously set to Yes. In this case as well,however, the video provision options control module 126 displays anactive tip count display option 904, video download reward option 902,video audio download reward option 906, and extra reward option 907,enabling selection and designation thereof, only when the tip acceptanceoption 901 has been set to Yes, as in the previous sections.

In this case as well, the tip count display option 904, video downloadreward option 902, video audio download reward option 906, and extrareward option 907 are forcibly set to No and become inactive, making itimpossible to select and designate these options, when the tipacceptance option 901 has been set to No, as in the previous sections.

31. Operator Default Settings

The operator of the video hosting website 100 can preset defaultsettings for the user interface 600, in which the tipping button 400 isset, and the user interface 900, in which rewards for tips are set.

For example, it is generally unrealistic to assume that a tip of lessthan USD 1.00 will be given in the United States, where tipping is andestablished custom—in other words, the act of giving a tip less than USD1.00 may be equivalent to an insult.

Therefore, the operator of the video hosting website 100 can preset adefault tip amount setting of “USD 1.00” per click of the tipping button400 in the user interface 600 in which the tipping button 400 is set.

The viewer can also check and alter the settings for the tipping button400 at any time by logging into the user account page (not shown) andusing the tipping settings button (not shown) to access the userinterface 600 and confirm and alter the default settings for the tippingbutton 400.

Similarly, the operator of the video hosting website 100 can set defaultsettings for the user interface 900, in which rewards for tips are set.

The reason for this is that it is possible, in view of thecharacteristics of the present invention, for tip revenue to be the mainrevenue stream of the content creator, and a plurality of rewards(premiums) out of a video download reward, a video audio downloadreward, and an extra reward can be offered so that the viewer canclearly understand that these services are rewards (premiums) for tipsgiven when viewing videos, while simultaneously increasing, through theplurality of rewards (premiums), the viewer's incentive to tip, whichalso leads to increased tip revenue for the content creator.

Thus, the operator of the website 100 can also, for example, set the tipacceptance option 901, video download reward option 902, and video audiodownload reward option 906 to Yes as default settings. As discussedabove, the content creator can also click the video “Upload” button 402to access the user interface 900 and confirm and change the defaultreward settings.

While the foregoing, in order to make the invention clearer, includesexplicit disclosures of services only for content creators and viewers,services can be offered to all users possessing a user ID 160.

While the video hosting website 100 in the present invention is a videosharing site, some of the functions (tipping and rewards) of the presentinvention can also be applied to other online services such as imagesharing sites, SNSs, and blogs.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above,and various modifications may be made thereto to the extent that they donot depart from the gist of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer program product for implementing adigital content streaming playback system, the computer program productcomprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium embodyingcomputer-executable program instructions thereon that, when executed bya processor, cause one or more computers to execute: a digital contentplayback module, configured to provide digital content that waspreviously uploaded to a specific digital content hosting site by a userwho is a content creator on a user interface displayed on a computer ofa content consumer so as to enable streaming playback of the digitalcontent over an electronic network, the digital content playback modulehaving a digital content playback operation to allow the digital contentto be played on the user interface; a tipping module configured tooperate in tandem with the digital content playback operation performedby the digital content playback module, the tipping module configured toperform a tipping process; a reward button/link display moduleconfigured to operate in tandem with the tipping process performed bythe tipping module; and a reward setup interface configured for the userwho is a content creator to upload content as a reward file, the contentbeing different from the digital content for streaming playback; whereinthe tipping module comprises: a tipping button/link display moduleconfigured to display an activated tipping button/link on the userinterface; and a tip processing module configured to, in response to thecontent consumer operating the activated tipping button/link, processpayment of a tip of a specific amount according to a default setting ora setting made by the user who is a content creator; wherein the rewardbutton/link display module is configured to display, depending on theprocessing of the tip payment, an activated reward button/link on theuser interface, enabling the content consumer to download, or displaywithin an in-site page or on an external page the reward file which wasuploaded from the reward setup interface.
 2. The computer programproduct according to claim 1, the reward setup interface is furtherconfigured so that the digital content for streaming playback itself canbe set as a download reward.
 3. The computer program product accordingto claim 1, wherein the reward file includes an audio file.
 4. Thecomputer program product according to claim 1, wherein: the rewardbutton/link display module displays an indicator corresponding to a typeof a downloadable reward as a reward button/link.
 5. The computerprogram product according to claim 1, wherein the reward setup interfaceis configured for the user who is a content creator to select to offer areward or not offer a reward for the digital content which the user whois a content creator has uploaded upon payment of a tip; and wherein thereward button/link display module is configured to: (i) display anactivated reward button/link on the user interface when the user who isa content creator has selected using the reward setup interface to offera reward upon payment of a tip, or has not selected using the rewardsetup interface to not offer a reward upon payment of a tip, and (ii)not display an activated reward button/link on the user interface whenthe user who is a content creator has not selected using the rewardsetup interface to offer a reward upon payment of a tip, or has selectedusing the reward setup interface to not offer a reward upon payment of atip.
 6. The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein thespecific amount according to a default setting is preset by an operatorof the digital content playback system.
 7. The computer program productaccording to claim 1, wherein the digital content is audio.
 8. Thecomputer program product according to claim 1, wherein the digitalcontent is a still image.
 9. The computer program product according toclaim 1, wherein the digital content is a text file.